JarrettH

Bikes - overwhelmed!

I had the idea of visiting another province and to travel on my bike. I've been researching bikes a little bit and how one lives and eats whilst doing this. I've only skimmed the surface. I know it's not a lot to spend nor the optimal bike for travelling, but there's a lot of extras I haven't even considered.

Anyway, I'll be buying from a local shop (Gears Bike Shop) and have some options:

2010 Specialized Hardrock Disc $479 (on sale from $599)
https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/...=Path%2FGravel

2011 Giant Seek 2 $599 (disc breaks)
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/....2/8069/45720/

Both bikes are available with pad breaks, but I basically eliminated that on my own. I'm also curious as to why 2011 was written beside it as when I look up Giant Seek 2 it came out in 2009? Same thing with the Hardrock...2008, no? Would I be better off buying used?

I'm going to drop in again tomorrow for a ride!

Thanks for any help

Edit: Reposted my topic in Touring with more details: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ike?p=12896102

Shuagster

Are you going to ride on trails or on the road? Those two are mountain bikes.

JarrettH

Likely the road, sticking to maps. I was told the Seek 2 is more like a hybrid

Shuagster

Yea, sorry, the Seek is a hybrid. So if you're gonna be riding on the road you probably wanna get a hybrid, commuter or a road bike. You just need to establish what you want to do with the bike, race, just transport, ride long distances, etc. Then find a bike that suits what you want to do with it.

Greg_R

It sounds like you want to go touring... get a touring bike. A used Trek 520 or 720 touring bike sell for less than the MTBs you list and will be far better suited for your purpose. The folks in the touring area of this forum can provide better help at selecting equipment, etc.

JarrettH

Yeah, a touring bike is what I actually need. From what I've seen they are way, way, too expensive. None of those Trek were on craigslist. Personally, I'd only buy used locally.